Illegal Colorado Springs pot shop operations lead to arrest, recovery of drugs, guns, money
UPDATE: After a lengthy investigation, the Colorado Springs Metro Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence Division’s Marijuana Regulatory Team recovered items at numerous retail marijuana stores that were operating illegally throughout the region.
Throughout the six different businesses that were searched, detectives found ten thousand dollars, over 100 pounds of refined marijuana product, marijuana-infused edibles, and marijuana concentrate.
Warrants were obtained for four individuals were and detectives obtained a search warrant for another residence located in El Paso County.
Friday, November 30, 2018, detectives and members of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office took one of the main suspects into custody.
Jon Vincent Martinez, 37, was arrested after numerous large safes in the garage contained over sixty different handguns and rifles. Six of those weapons were reported to have been stolen. Narcotics, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy was also found inside the home.
Detectives also confiscated five vehicles, one motorcycle, numerous pieces of high-end jewelry, and several Rolex watches from Martinez.
Evidence obtained during these search warrants also led detectives to obtain more search warrants, leading to the discovery of around 1.375 million dollars of unreported cash.
Martinez has been booked into the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Justice Center for felony distribution. He’s since bonded out and is expected in court on Thursday according to the El Paso County Court Docket.
CSPD wasn’t able to release what they believe Martinez’s role is in the case.
If you know any more information regarding this case, you’re asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000 or call Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP
Previous story:
Colorado Springs police started investigating reports of retail marijuana stores illegally operating throughout the county earlier this year, and searches were done at multiple stores Thursday.
According to CSPD, investigators got search warrants for the following shops in Colorado Springs and El Paso County:
Toke-a-Lot Vapors Choice Toke-a-Lil Primo’s Smoke Best Bud Peak Ascension Blazed & Confused Church of the Most High
The shops were all searched Thursday, and police say detectives recovered more than $10,000, and more than 100 pounds of refined marijuana, marijuana-infused edibles, and marijuana concentrates, in addition to paperwork and electronic equipment.
Police say the stores were all issued cease and desist notices to “stop the illegal practice of selling marijuana in a retail environment.”
At this point, it’s not clear what exact ordinances or laws were allegedly broken by the shops. Police say the investigation is still ongoing.
No arrests were reported by the department.
